First International Convening of Formerly Incarcerated Women (English)

This video includes simultaneous interpretation in English. We have uploaded a separate version with simultaneous interpretation in Spanish.

A historic international convening took place from May 2 to 4, 2023, when more than 60 formerly incarcerated women from 17 countries around the world came together in Bogotá, Colombia in a new international network that is seeking to build global solidarity, support the rights of women in prison and upon their release, and elevate the voices, experiences, and ideas of women who have been deprived of liberty. WOLA was honored to sponsor this event.

The first-ever international convening of formerly incarcerated women concluded with a public event, accompanied by the Colombian Ministry of Justice and the Law, the Colombian NGOs, Dejusticia and Mujeres Libres, the National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls, and the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA). The event was moderated by Diana Ester Guzmán, Executive Director of Dejusticia, and speakers included:

• Angela Y. Davis, feminist, activist, and Professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz (via video)

• Colombian Senators, María José Pizarro Rodríguez and Jahel Quiroga Carrillo

• Representatives of the International Network of Formerly Incarcerated Women from around the world

• Colombian Minister of Justice and the Law, Néstor Iván Osuna Patiño, and Vice Minister Camilo Eduardo Umaña Hernández

• Claudia Cardona, Corporación Mujeres Libres Colombia